Are you starting to notice more and more wrinkles underneath your eyes? It's not uncommon: The skin in that particular area is incredibly thin — and since the under-eye area tends to lose collagen over time, it also tends to look drier and is more apt to lead to fine lines.
Eye serums are a great way to keep the skin around your eyes hydrated and help combat those natural, yet sometimes unwanted signs of aging.
Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa, a double-board certified plastic surgeon, says that "you want to make sure that your eye serum contains ingredients that protect the skin barrier because you’re under-eye skin can be particularly susceptible to UV rays and free radicals in the environment."
We spoke with board-certified dermatologists as well as a double board-certified plastic surgeon to help find the best eye serums for reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Scroll down to shop our expert-recommended and editor-tested picks starting at only $9.
The best eye serums, according to experts and tested by editors | More eye serums to shop | What to look for | Ingredients to avoid | How we chose | Meet the experts
The best eye serums, according to experts and tested by editors
Most budget friendly: L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Lightweight
- Not greasy
- May irritate skin
Size: 0.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin
"This serum is clinically proven to hydrate and reduce dark circles, puffiness and fine lines, with 1.5% hyaluronic acid and 1% caffeine," shares Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. "I like that it’s fragrance-free and has a triple roller ball applicator that massages and contours the eye area," she explains.
Enriched with caffeine: Vichy Mineral 89 Eye Serum
- Brightens and depuffs skin
- Lightweight
- Very hydrating
- Mixed reviews on results
Size: 0.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, caffeine
"A great choice for those with sensitive skin, this fragrance-free, dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested formula helps smooth lines and brighten the eye area," suggests Engelman. "It contains hyaluronic acid, caffeine and Vichy 89% volcanic water to hydrate while waking up the eyes," she explains.
Expert- and editor-loved: Summer Fridays Jet Lag Overnight Eye Serum
- Great applicator
- Hydrating
- Gentle formula
- Can cause irritation
Size: 0.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Glycerin, retinol, licorice root extract
Srinivasa recommends this serum, which she says is an extension of Summer Friday's viral Jet Lag Mask. "Both products focus on restoring hydration, moisture and optimizing the skin barrier," she explains.
Editorial assistant Madison San Miguel is also a big fan of this overnight eye serum. "The serum contains a retinoid blend, ceramides and glycerin, and together, I found the formula incredibly gentle and hydrating for every day," shares San Miguel.
"I’ve incorporated this serum into my evening routine over the last two months and can’t believe how much moisture it delivers around my under-eye region in such a small amount," raves senior editor Jess Bender.
Expert's "holy grail": Sahajan Golden Glow Eye Balm
- Helps with dark circles
- Super hydrating
- May cause eye irritation
Size: 0.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Glycerin, jojoba seed oil
Srinivasa calls this Sahajan eye balm her "absolute holy grail." She explains that the formula is unique, as it comes in a balm in the jar and melts with body temperature to a serum. "It is packed with ayurvedic ingredients that help with suppleness, but also brightening and decreasing hyperpigmentation," she explains.
"From personal experience, I can tell you it makes an exceptional base for makeup. By providing significant hydration, it keeps the skin from drying and keeps your makeup from creasing and flaking," says Srinivasa.
Splurge option: Charlotte Tilbury Cryo-Recovery Depuffing Eye Serum
- Easy to apply
- Helps with dark circles
- Pricey for amount of product
Size: 0.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Caffeine, glycerin
"This serum rapidly addresses puffiness, dark circles and signs of aging with peptides, antioxidants and a brightening caffeine complex," explains Engelman. "I love that the packaging includes a cooling metal application tip to further enhance the serum’s benefits," she says.
More eye serums to shop
Cost effective and travel friendly: Cetaphil Deep Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum
- Softens skin
- Hydrating
- Helps reduce puffiness
- May run into eyes
Size: 0.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamins E
Are you looking for skin care products that are travel friendly? This Amazon’s Choice eye serum from Cetaphil is the perfect size and contains hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamin E. It also provides 48-hour hydration and is designed for sensitive skin.
Affordable and hydrating: Advanced Clinicals Puffy Under Eye Serum
- Helps decrease fine lines
- Leaves no residue
- Makes skin brighter
- Smell may be strong
Size: 1.75 oz. | Key ingredients: Vitamin E, collagen, caffeine, green tea
The only bags you'll have are the kinds for shopping after you try the Puffy Eye Serum from Advanced Clinicals. The hydrating serum is great for all types of skin and is infused with vitamin E, collagen, caffeine and green tea. With over 14,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, you'll be in good company by investing in this product.
Brightens and reduces puffiness: Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum
- Moisturizing
- Brightens area around eyes
- Reduces puffiness
- Can cause redness
Size: 1.0 oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, retinol
Help say goodbye to puffiness and dark circles with this bestselling eye serum that has nearly 4,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. Enriched with niacinamide, ginseng root extract and retinol, this hydrating formula is designed to brighten the skin and help reduce wrinkles. Many satisfied customers said they look less tired after using this skincare product.
What to look for in an eye serum
Given that the skin around the eyes is incredibly thin and delicate, it is imperative to keep the area well hydrated. "This area needs hydration and nourishing, barrier-strengthening ingredients, like peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid," suggests Engelman. "If dark circles and puffiness are concerns, I would also recommend looking for an eye serum that contains caffeine or green tea to wake up the eyes," she continues.
Like Engelman, Srinivasa also recommends hyaluronic acid and ceramides as essential ingredients in highly effective eye serums. She also mentions niacinamide, which is a form of vitamin B3 used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne and rosacea.
"Another common issue with the under eye specifically is discoloration and hyperpigmentation. Ingredients such as vitamin C can be helpful for brightening," Srinivasa notes.
Ingredients to avoid in an eye serum
Beware! Certain ingredients can cause irritation and end up hurting your eyes. "Always avoid eye serums with harsh or potentially harmful chemicals like formaldehyde/formaldehyde releasers, added fragrances, etc.," advises Engelman.
"While this is a good rule of thumb for any skin care product, the eye area is particularly sensitive and may be more vulnerable to irritating ingredients," she explains.
Srinivasa says that kojic acid is great for brightening and hyperpigmentation, but that it can be too strong for the under eye skin. "Additionally, I tend to avoid AHAs and BHAs such as lactic, mandelic and glycolic acids," she suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eye serums and eye creams may seem similar at first glance, but have separate defining characteristics.
Board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav previously told Shop TODAY that eye serums are typically much lighter in weight and have a more concentrated "dose" of active ingredients. Eye creams, on the other hand, "are formulated with nourishment in mind," explains Yadav.
When it comes to how often you should use an eye serum, it is dependent on multiple factors, such as manufacturer’s instructions, physician’s advice, ingredients and underlying conditions.
Having said that, Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, recently spoke with Shop TODAY and recommended using eye serums once or twice per day (except for those containing retinol).
How we chose the best eye serums
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best eye serums by enlisting the recommendations of board-certified dermatologists and a double-board certified plastic surgeon. We also asked our editors to share a tried-and-true favorite serum, as well as scoured through hundreds of user reviews to help complete the list.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Dhivya Srinivasa is a double-board certified plastic & breast cancer reconstructive surgeon.
- Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in New York, New York.
- Geeta Yadav, MD is board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology.
- Debra Jaliman, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and author of “Skin Rules” (St. Martin’s Press).
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The Flat Lay Co. Flat Lay Makeup Bag